In what can’t make any Bucs fan happy, unless he or she is a Euro stuck in soccer-mad Europe, the Bucs will play another home game in England in 2011. This time it’s against the bears.

News broke on AM 1000 in Chicago this afternoon, JoeBucsFan.com just confirmed with the station, and moments ago was reported by ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter.

Well, at least that’s one game sure to not be blacked out.

How could this not be a disadvantage for the Bucs? Why would Team Glazer approve such a thing when the team is a serious contender? Surely the NFL didn’t force their hand. The Bucs just played a “home game” there in 2009.

Frankly, Joe is disgusted. One less game for the home fans to enjoy.

Insert a big fat lockout asterisk, but the first glimpse of the Bucs’ preseason schedule is out.

The only fixed date is the opener in Kansas City on Aug. 12. And Bill Belicheat and the Patriots will soil the blacked out C.I.T.S. turf the following week.

Joe’s already drooling at the thought of the first preseason game only — and exactly — four months away.

2011 Preseason Schedule

August 1, (National TV-FOX)            at Kansas City                
(August 18-22)                                   NEW ENGLAND           
(August 25-28)                                   MIAMI                         
(September 1-2)                                 at Washington                       

Damn, this lockout thing better get resolved. Joe yearns for all the fun of training camp and preseason.

Here’s your chance to chat all things NFL Draft with the chief draft guru in the Tampa Bay area. Nothing’s off limits with The Commish, Justin Pawlowski of WDAE-AM 620, who commands the great draft coverage on JoeBucsFan.com.

See you at 2!

Good health seems to be flowing freely among Bucs seriously injured last season, including Gerald McCoy, Brian Price, Cody Grimm and (gasp) Aqib Talib, and more.

Speaking yesterday on the Ron and Ian Show, on WDAE-AM 620, Bucs rockstar general manager Mark Dominik said Arrelious Benn is the lone banged up Buccaneer who’s status is questionable for 2011. 

“He’s really the only guy that we’re mainly concerned about,” said Dominik, who added that Benn was progressing well from his ACL tear.

Benn’s knee went down in late December. To expect him to be 100 percent for opening day is like Joe hoping for Rachel Watson to invite him to share a bubble bath at the Clearwater Beach Hilton — highly unlikely.

Joe wonders whether wide receiver is the area where Dominik will shun his distaste for free agency and snatch a little insurance for Benn. Leaving Josh Freeman short of weapons should not be an option.

Joe is split when it comes to the BSPN Monday Night Football crew.

Joe thinks Mike “Moving Forward” Tirico is OK, nothing more. For some reason Joe loved it when he called college games. NFL? He’s OK.

Chucky? Pppfffttt. The guy is so full of it his eyes are brown. Everybody’s great. Everybody’s an All Pro. Just stop it Chucky, stop it. Chucky’s slobbering over everyone and everything actually forces Joe to find a watering hole that is noisy thus, he can’t hear the audio.

Now Jaws is a whole different story. Ron Jaworski is damned good and the only one who comes close to Jaws in Joe’s eyes as an NFL game analyst is Mike Mayock. Jaws is a true student of the game. He speaks to football fans, not some Long Island yenta or Nebraska hausfrau. Football fans crave inside information and X’s and O’s and Jaws delivers time and again.

So when Jaws says something, Joe takes notice. In speaking with eye-RAH! Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune, Jaws says that Josh Freeman reminds him of a veteran Peyton Manning.

“I see all the great throws, but the job I have working out of NFL Films allows me to hear when these players are miked for a game,” said former NFL quarterback Ron Jaworski. “I listen. You can’t get that on a broadcast. You can’t be in the huddle with the guy and see how he commands the offense. The beautiful thing is that when Freeman’s in the huddle in crunch time with the Bucs trailing, you would have thought his team was ahead by 10 points. There’s a calm demeanor, which really shows his teammates that he was confident they would get the job done together.

“When you hear Freeman make the changes in protection, direct receivers on what routes to run … those are things Peyton Manning was doing in Years 6 and 7. He’s doing it in Year 2. He does a really good job of looking his teammates in the eye. That might sound like minutiae, but I’ve watched Drew Brees very closely over the years and he likes to get down on one knee and look up at his guys eye-to-eye. It’s all in the little things that separate average quarterbacks from great ones and I think Josh Freeman is clearly on the track to being a great one.”

Wow, that’s high praise. Virtually anyone who would compare Freeman to Manning as an established quarterback Joe would dismiss almost right away. Not from Jaws.

Joe has to wonder if one reason Jaws is waxing poetic because there is a chance the Bucs will be on Monday Night Football? The schedules will be out shortly, likely before the NFL draft.

Those who are adept at using Twitter know how to find stories. It’s all about following the right people.

One of those people would be, of course, Joe.

But last night while nursing an adult beverage and watching Joe’s guilty pleasure, Celebrity Apprentice, Joe was also scrolling through Twitter when he came across this little nugget:

@COLINMcCARTHY44 Headed to bed. Good to be home. Working out with the Bucs tomorrow.

That would be former Clearwater Central Catholic stud Colin McCarthy, a bruising linebacker who played at the University of Miami, a three-year starter at Coral Gables in fact. McCarthy, at CCC, was a teammate of Riley Cooper, who later played wide receiver for Florida and is now with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Now Joe knows it’s a stretch to say McCarthy will be with the Bucs. Who is to say whether one of the other 31 teams may draft McCarthy as well? But Joe wonders if the Bucs do draft McCarthy if he would be groomed to take over Barrett Ruud’s duties? Just eyeballing McCarthy he seems to fit that mold.

How McCarthy grades out later this month in the draft is anyone’s guess. Joe has seen McCarthy slotted anywhere from the third round to sixth round. Joe does remember, sadly, that while doing the radio broadcast of the Senior Bowl, heard exclusively on Sirius NFL Radio, both Pat Kirwan and Tim Ryan were not very high on McCarthy and suggested he would be a third-day pick and a career special teams guy.

If McCarthy can somehow channel what he did against Cardinal Mooney as a senior in high school, it would serve him well. It was one of the wackiest finishes Joe has ever seen in a high school game and McCarthy literally took the game over.

With three minutes to go in the game losing 17-10 and CCC’s playoff life hanging by a thread, McCarthy fielded a squib kick and returned the ball 73 yards to tie the game. On the ensuing possession, he intercepted a pass and returned it deep in Mooney territory to set up a short plunge for the winning score as time ran out.

It’s been a long time since the Bucs had a linebacker that could take over a game at a crucial moment.

The Commish looks to the ACC and a dinged up yet talented linebacker for the Bucs second-round pick.

Here’s another manbeast of a mock draft from draft guru/WDAE-AM 620 radio personality Justin “The Commish” Pawlowski. It’s all part of the exclusive in-depth draft coverage at JoeBucsFan.com.

Feel free to debate The Commish’s picks with him today as he fills in for the dean of Tampa Bay sports radio, Steve Duemig, from 3 p.m to 6:30 p.m. on WDAE-AM 620. Those chained to a computer can listen online at 620wdae.com.

Grab a cold beverage and enjoy.

1st Round

1. Carolina Panthers – Cam Newton – QB – Auburn
6’5’’ – 248 lbs – 4.59
Needs: CB, DT, DE, WR, QB

Commish’s Take: It’s looking more and more clear that Cam Newton will be the first pick in the draft. He has all the ability, and if he does reach his potential, the NFC South would end up with the best collective group of starting quarterbacks in the NFL.

2. Denver Broncos – Marcell Dareus – DT – Alabama
6’3’’ – 319 lbs – 4.92
Needs: DT, DE, CB, S

Commish’s Take: Dareus is the top defensive tackle in the draft and the massive player John Fox likes in the middle of his defensive line. With a transition back to a 4-3 defense, it’s imperative that the Broncos find some defensive tackles since they currently only have two on their roster.

3. Buffalo Bills – Von Miller – OLB – Texas A&M
6’3’’ – 246 lbs – 4.49

Needs: DE, QB, WR, LB
Commish’s Take: I think the Bills would take Newton with this pick, but I think they’d pass on Gabbert. I don’t think Gabbert has the downfield accuracy to be successful in Chan Gailey’s offense. The Bills are desperate for help on the front 7 of their defense. Von Miller is the top hybrid linebacker in this draft and should make the Bills forget about Aaron Maybin.

4. Cincinnati Bengals – Blaine Gabbert – QB – Missouri
6’4’’ – 234 lbs – 4.62

Needs: WR, QB, DT
Commish’s Take: With Jay Gruden running the offense now in Cincinnati and the current quarterback not wanting to be there, I’m sure Gruden would want to get his own quarterback in as soon as possible. Gabbert is a good fit for Gruden’s west-coast style of offense.

5. Arizona Cardinals – Patrick Peterson – CB – LSU
6’0’’ – 219 lbs – 4.34

Needs: OLB, CB, OT, QB

Commish’s Take: There are a lot of rumors from every newspaper in Arizona that the Cardinals will be going defense in the 1st round. Well, with Gabbert off the board, there’s really no discussion. The big debate for the Cardinals is whether to draft a hybrid defensive end or maybe the best player in the draft. Peterson has been hyped as one of the best corners to come out in a long time. With Dominique Rogers-Cromartie on the other side, the Cardinals would be very tough to pass against.

6. Cleveland Browns – AJ Green – WR – Georgia
6’4’’ – 211 lbs – 4.50
Needs: WR, DE, OLB, TE, NT

Commish’s Take: I know the Browns need an end, but it’s just too hard to pass on AJ Green when you need a big time receiver. Green would immediately give the Browns a legit threat in the passing game. With this draft being so deep at defensive linemen, it might make sense to grab the best playmaker in the draft here.

7. San Francisco 49ers – Aldon Smith – DE – Missouri
6’4’’ – 263 lbs – 4.78
Needs: QB, DE, OLB, CB, S
Commish’s Take: With Peterson off the board, the 49ers could take Prince Amukamara or address their pass rush. Robert Quinn is a possibility, but Aldon Smith has been compared to Demarcus Ware and his stock is on the rise. The 49ers need something off the edge and Smith is one of the most dynamic pass rushers in the draft.

8. Tennessee Titans – Da’Quan Bowers – DE – Clemson
6’3’’ – 280 lbs – DNP
Needs: DT, CB, QB, OG

Commish’s Take: One of the hardest players to predict is Da’Quan Bowers. I don’t think he’ll fall past the early teens, but some people have him falling to the 20’s or beyond. The Titans want to revamp the type of defensive lineman they bring in. According to yahoo sports, the Titans have told Bowers that if he is there when they pick that they will select him. Nick Fairley is also a possibility, but if they feel Bowers is the better player, I have no doubts that they’ll select Bowers.

9. Dallas Cowboys – Tyron Smith – OT – USC
6’5’’ – 307 lbs – DNP

Needs: DE, OT, OG, CB, S
Commish’s Take: The Cowboys have a big need at offensive tackle and Smith is the top tackle in this class. At just 20 years old, Smith is one of the younger players in the draft, but he has superb technique and long arms which could help him become a very good left tackle in the NFL.

10. Washington Redskins – Julio Jones – WR – Alabama
6’3’’ – 220 lbs – 4.39
Needs: QB, WR, DE, OLB

Commish’s Take: The Redskins luck out a bit and get Jones to fall to their lap. Jones is a big receiver with skills similar to Terrell Owens. The Redskins need a receiver with Santana Moss heading to free agency. The Redskins could reach on a quarterback like Jake Locker here, but with Jones on the board, their pick got easy.

11. Houston Texans – Prince Amukamara – CB – Nebraska
6’0’’ – 206 lbs – 4.43
Needs: OLB, DE, CB, WR

Commish’s Take: The Texans pass defense was just awful last year. Prince Amukamara could come in and start immediately. Quinn could be a possibility here as an outside linebacker, but I think the Texans could address that position in the 2nd round.

12. Minnesota Vikings – Jake Locker – QB – Washington
6’2’’ – 231 lbs – 4.59
Needs: QB, DE, OT, OG

Commish’s Take: There is a lot of risk with Locker, but the Vikings are desperate for a franchise quarterback and might view Locker as a young Brett Favre. Locker is fiery, a leader, and has a strong arm. Accuracy is a major concern, but it might be too risky for the Vikings to wait on a quarterback until the 2nd round. They might miss completely on a quarterback entirely.

13. Detroit Lions – Robert Quinn – DE – North Carolina
6’4’’ – 265 lbs – 4.70
Needs: OT, CB, OLB, DE

Commish’s Take: Sure, the Lions need an offensive tackle, but I think it would be real tough to pass on Robert Quinn and pair him with Ndamukong Suh. The Lions would quickly be building one of the most electric defensive lines in the NFL.

14. St. Louis Rams – Nick Fairley – DT – Auburn
6’4’’ – 291 – 4.87
Needs: WR, TE, DE, DT

Commish’s Take: Once you get past the Titans, there just aren’t a lot of teams that need a defensive tackle until this pick. Fairley has some definite character issues that are also playing a factor. Everyone else’s mistake is the Rams gain. Fairley fits in very well with Steve Spagnuolo’s system and has the potential to thrive for a long time.

15. Miami Dolphins – Mike Pouncey – OG/OC – Florida
6’5’’ – 303 lbs – 5.28

Needs: RB, OT, NT, QB
Commish’s Take: Running bac has been the popular choice here, but I think the Dolphins can get running backs later in this draft and in free agency. I think the Dolphins will try like hell to trade down and acquire extra draft picks. If they can’t trade back, they will probably look to Improve the interior of their offensive line. Pouncey could step in and play guard or center for the Dolphins and help open lanes for whoever is running the ball.

16. Jacksonville Jaguars – Adrian Clayborn – DE – Iowa
6’3’’ – 281 lbs – 4.81

Needs: DE, OLB, S, WR, OG

Commish’s Take: I got to this pick with so many great defensive ends on the board, but something inside me kept telling me Adrian Clayborn here. Yes, I know it would be surprising, but the draft never goes smooth, and why wouldn’t the Jaguars be the team that really shakes things up. I was surprised to hear that Clayborn would be in NYC for the draft, and then a recent story said that Clayborn is expected to be a late teen or early 20’s pick. Jack Del Rio likes defensive players who are leaders and productive. Although his productivity fell off last year, Clayborn was dominant in 2009. Let’s try and this and see how it all plays out.

17. N. E. Patriots (via OAK) – Anthony Castonzo – OT – Boston College
6’7’’ – 311 lbs – 5.23

Needs: DE, OLB, WR, RB, OL
Commish’s Take: Castonzo has a lot of experience and potential as a stqarter at left tackle in the NFL. The Patriots need to address many areas of their team, and offensive line is near the top of the list. Castonzo should fit in well with the type of offense the Patriots run.

18. San Diego Chargers – JJ Watt – DE – Wisconsin
6’5’’ – 290 lbs – 4.82
Needs: LB, DE, RT, WR

Commish’s Take: I think the Chargers need linebackers, but taking one here would be a risk and possibly a reach. Watt could step right in and start at end in the Chargers 3-4 defense. Watt is big and very athletic. We can see the good depth in this draft when a player like Watt falls to the 18th pick.

19. New York Giants – Corey Liuget – DT – Illinois
6’2’’ – 298 lbs – 4.99
Needs: OT, MLB, OG

Commish’s Take: With Barry Coefield on the way out in free agency, the Giants need a disrupter in the middle of their defensive line for their “Tampa 2” defense. Liuget has been compared to Gerald McCoy and would be a nice fit as the under tackle for the Giants.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Cameron Jordan – DE – Cal.
6’4’’ – 287 lbs – 4.78
Needs: DE, LB, CB, OT, OG

Commish’s Take: Who would have thought that the Bucs would have their choice of Ryan Kerrigan and Cameron Jordan? I know that I wanted to give the Bucs Kerrigan, but the way this played out, I had to go with the more talented player. Jordan is bigger and stronger than Kerrigan and apparently a favorite of Raheem Morris. I also understand that Mark Dominik’s favorite might be Ryan Kerrigan. Most likely, their decision will be made by the teams in front of them, but in this case Jordan is the pick. If I’m Mark Dominik, I’m looking at Jordan as a left defensive end on 1st and 2nd down and end when the Bucs go to their 3-4 defense. I would then focus on getting another end to play the right side in the 2nd or 3rd round. Maybe that player could be Greg Romeus in the 3rd?

21. Kansas City Chiefs – Phil Taylor – NT – Baylor
6’3’’ – 334 lbs – 5.20

Needs: OLB, NT, OT, WR, OG
Commish’s Take: A great 3-4 defense starts with a big and nasty nose tackle in the middle of the defensive line. The Chiefs have not had that. Taylor is big and mean, and could take the Chiefs defense to the next level.

22. Indianapolis Colts – Derek Sherrod – OT – Miss. St.
6’5’’ – 321 lbs – 5.28

Needs: OL, CB, LB

Commish’s Take: Bill Polian said that he regretted not taking an offensive tackle in last year’s draft. He’s not making that mistake again. Sherrod can play tackle on either side of the line and is a very balanced offensive lineman. I’m not buying the talk that the Colts might draft the heir to Peyton Manning with this pick.

23. Philadelphia Eagles – Jimmy Smith – CB – Colorado
6’2’’ – 211 lbs – 4.46
Needs: CB, OT, OG, OLB

Commish’s Take: Sure, character is a concern, but Smith’s skills are awesome. He is very good in press and man coverage. If he keeps himself out of trouble, Smith could be a star for the Eagles.

24. New Orleans Saints – Cameron Heyward – DE – Ohio St.
6’5’’ – 294 lbs – DNP

Needs: DE, OLB, DT

Commish’s Take: The last time the Saints drafted a Heyward with the 24th pick in the draft was in 1988 when they selected Craig “Ironhead” Heyward who just happens to be Cameron Heyward’s father. The Saints have a big need at the end position opposite of Will Smith. Heyward is a great fit for Gregg Williams blitz scheme as he is strong enough to play the run, rush the passer, and take on multiple blockers.

25. Seattle Seahawks – Christian Ponder – QB – FSU
6’2’’ – 229 lbs – 4.65

Needs: QB, OG, DE, DT, CB

Commish’s Take: If the Seahawks are going to take a quarterback, the bezst fit for them is Christian Ponder. With Darrelle Bevel bringing his west-coast offense to the Seahawks, they need a quarterback with mobility and accuracy. Ponder has had issues with his throwing shoulder, but he has proved to have good accuracy and top intangibles. He would challenge Charlie Whitehurst immediately.

26. Baltimore Ravens – Muhammad Wilkerson – DE – Temple
6’4’’ – 315 lbs – 4.96
Needs: CB, WR(speed), OC, S, DE

Commish’s Take: The Ravens need some insurance for Corey Redding who will become a free agent next year. Wilkerson might be a project, but he has a ton of potential. Wilkerson’s big frame and athleticism should be a nice fit with the Ravens defense.

27. Atlanta Falcons – Ryan Kerrigan – DE – Purdue
6’4’’ – 267 lbs – 4.71
Needs: DT, DE, WR, TE

Commish’s Take: The Falcons need someone that can rush the passer other than John Abraham. Kerrigan slips a little in this mock draft, but don’t be fooled, he’s still an extremely good player. Kerrigan could step in for the Falcons and be a leader on their defense and team for 10 years.

28. New England Patriots – Akeem Ayers – OLB – UCLA
6’2’’ – 254 lbs – 4.80

Needs: see above

Commish’s Take: The Patriots need a rush off the edge. Ayers is a perfect fit for a 3-4 defense. He is big and shows good explosion. He is also a true linebacker, so there is no worry of his transitioning from end to a new position. He knows how to drop into coverage and how to play standing up.

29. Chicago Bears – Gabe Carimi – OT – Wisconsin
6’7’’ – 314 lbs – 5.27

Needs: OT, OG, WR, DT

Commish’s Take: There’s no secret that the Bears need offensive and defensive linemen. Carimi fits the mold of a Bears offensive lineman. He is big and physical. I think Carimi could play left tackle, but might be better suited for right tackle.

30. New York Jets – Justin Houston – DE – Georgia
6’3’’ – 270 lbs – 4.68
Needs: NT, DE, CB, WR

Commish’s Take: Some analysts have compared Justin Houston to Vernon Gholston, but if the Jets or any team worried about stuff like that, they would miss out on some great players. Houston has size, strength, and speed off the edge. Yes, he needs to learn other pass rushing moves, but he has talent. I think Houston is definitely worth the risk here.

31. Pittsburgh Steelers – Benjamin Ijalana – OT – Villanova
6’4’’ – 317 lbs – DNP

Needs: CB, OT, OG

Commish’s Take: I think the Steelers could use an upgrade over Flozell Adams at right tackle. Ijalana comes from lesser competition, but he has a lot of talent. Ijalana’s massive fram would be perfect at right tackle for the Steelers.

32. Green Bay Packers – Nate Solder – OT – Colorado
6’8’’ – 307 lbs – 5.05

Needs: OT, DE, OLB

Commish’s Take: After taking Bryan Bulaga last year, the Packers get his book end this year. For years, the Packers had Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher, and they never had to worry about either position. With this selection, the Packers have set themselves up for another 10 years of not worrying about either tackle position.

Round 2:

1 (33). N. E. Patriots (via CAR) – Mark Ingram – RB – Alabama
5’9’’ – 215 lbs – 4.62

Commish’s Take: Running backs have lost their luster a bit, but the Patriots jump at the shot at Ingram at the top of round 2. Ingram instantly becomes the Patriots premier back and will eventually become a leader on the team.

2 (34). Buffalo Bills – Ryan Mallett – QB – Arkansas
6’7’’ – 253 lbs – 5.50

Commish’s Take: Mallett’s strong arm can cut through the harsh Buffalo winters. He is a great fit for Chan Gailey’s vertical pass game.

3 (35). Cincinnati Bengals – Jonathon Baldwin – WR – Pitt.
6’4’’ – 228 lbs – 4.43

Commish’s Take: Baldwin has a great combination of size and speed. He immediately becomes Gabbert’s number one target.

4 (36). Denver Broncos – Kyle Rudolph – TE – Notre Dame
6’6’’ – 260 lbs – 4.80

Commish’s Take: John Fox never got his tight end in Carolina. Rudolph brings a different dimension to an offense.

5 (37). Cleveland Browns – Marvin Austin – DT – North Carolina
6’2’’ – 309 lbs – 4.90

Commish’s Take: The Browns need defensive linemen desperately. Austin’s stock is on the rise and he could end up being dominant in the NFL.

6 (38). Arizona Cardinals – Brooks Reed – OLB – Arizona
6’2’’ – 263 lbs – 4.68

Commish’s Take: Reed stays home and addresses a huge need for the Cardinals. He is a great fit off the edge in the Cardinals 3-4 defense.

7 (39). Tennessee Titans – Andy Daulton – QB – TCU
6’2’’ – 215 lbs – 4.87

Commish’s Take: The Titans have a big need for a quarterback. Daulton is a very good leader with top intangibles and good accuracy. With Kerry Collins already under contract, Daulton does not need to step in and play right away.

8 (40). Dallas Cowboys – Christian Ballard – DE – Iowa
6’4’’ – 283 lbs – 4.80

Commish’s Take: With Marcus Spears set for free agency, the Cowboys need an end. Ballard is a great fit at end in a 3-4 and was unblockable at the senior bowl.

9 (41). Washington Redskins – Colin Kaepernick – QB – Nevada
6’5’’ – 233 lbs – 4.53

Commish’s Take: Kaepernick is a little bit of a project, but a good fit for Mike Shanahan’s offense. Kaepernick is the fastest quarterback in the draft and might have the strongest arm.

10 (42). Houston Texans – Martez Wilson – LB – Illinois
6’4’’ – 250 lbs – 4.49

Commish’s Take: Martez Wilson will be moved from inside to outside linebacker and asked to do what he does best, and that’s rushing the passer.

11(43). Minnesota Vikings – Danny Watkins – OG – Baylor
6’3’’ – 310 lbs – 5.40

Commish’s Take: Watkins is one of the older players in the draft, but also one of the top guards as well.

12 (44). Detroit Lions – Brandon Harris – CB – Miami
5’10’’ – 191 lbs – 4.51

Commish’s Take: The Lions have big needs at corner. Harris has a lot of experience and would be an upgrade for the Lions.

13 (45). San Francisco 49ers – Ricky Stanzi – QB – Iowa
6’4’’ – 223 lbs – 4.93

Commish’s Take: This might be a reach, but it looks like the 49ers really like Stanzi and might reach on him in the 2nd round. Stanzi would compete for the 49ers starting job in year 1.

14 (46). Denver Broncos (via MIA) – Aaron Williams – CB – Texas
6’0’’ – 204 lbs – 4.51

Commish’s Take: Williams could play corner or safety. The good news is that the Broncos could use both.

15 (47). St. Louis Rams – Mikel Leshoure – RB – Illinois
6’0’’ – 227 lbs – 4.59

Commish’s Take: A wide receiver is definitely possible here, but insurance for Steven Jackson is also a priority. Leshoure’s running style has been compared to Jackson’s.

16 (48). Oakland Raiders – Ras-I Dowling – CB – Virginia
6’1’’ – 198 lbs – 4.46

Commish’s Take: Dowling is big and fast at the corner position. The Raiders lost Nnamdi Asomugha. It seems like this one has Al Davis written all over it.

17 (49). Jacksonville Jaguars – Stefan Wisniewski – OC/OG – Penn St.
6’3’’ – 313 lbs – 5.35

Commish’s Take: The Jaguars got their two offensive tackles a couple years ago, and now it’s time to get their future center. Wisniewski has good bloodlines and would give the Jaguars some really good offensive linemen.

18 (50). San Diego Chargers – Jabaal Sheard – DE – Pitt
6’3’’ – 264 lbs – 4.69

Commish’s Take: Sheard would move to outside linebacker with the Chargers and come off the edge opposite of Larry English. Sheard was a great pass rusher at Pitt.

19 (51). Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Bruce Carter – LB – North Carolina
6’2’’ – 241 lbs – DNP

Commish’s Take: The Bucs continue to address their defensive front 7. Carter has some injury issues, but is a very talented linebacker. He can play inside or outside, and plays with a lot of speed. Keep an eye on his injury status.

20 (52). New York Giants – James Carpenter – OT – Alabama
6’4’’ – 321 lbs – 5.28

Commish’s Take: I saw reports that thought Carpenter was the top tackle in this year’s draft. I’m not that certain, but I am certain that his stock is going up.

21 (53). Indianapolis Colts – Rahim Moore – S – UCLA
6’0’’ – 202 lbs – 4.62

Commish’s Take: The Colts were finally forced to cut ties with Bob Sanders. Moore is the top safety in this class and has very good ball skills in coverage.

22 (54). Philadelphia Eagles – Marcus Cannon – OT – TCU
6’5’’ – 358 lbs – 5.26

Commish’s Take: You know the Eagles are bound to take an offensive lineman sometime. Cannon is a massive lineman that could play right tackle or move inside to guard. He’s a good fit in the NFC East.

23 (55). Kansas City Chiefs – Leonard Hankerson – WR – Miami
6’2’’ – 209 lbs – 4.43

Commish’s Take: Hankerson isn’t the most polished receiver, but would provide an excellent complement to Dwayne Bowe.

24 (56). New Orleans Saints – Stephen Paea – DT – Oregon St.
6’1’’ – 303 lbs – DNP

Commish’s Take: Like Heyward, Paea is big and strong. He can take on multiple blockers allowing the linebackers and safeties to blitz the quarterback.

25 (57). Seattle Seahawks – Ryan Williams – RB – Va. Tech
5’9’’ – 212 lbs – 4.61

Commish’s Take: Williams might end up being the most talented back in this draft. If he stays healthy, he would be a great fit with his speed and excellent hands in the Seahawks new west- coast offense.

26 (58). Baltimore Ravens – Torrey Smith – WR – Maryland
5’11’’ – 174 lbs – 4.53

Commish’s Take: The Ravens need speed at receiver. Smith has potential, but there just is not enough consistency in his game to take him any higher than this.

27 (59). Atlanta Falcons – Titus Young – WR – Boise St.
5’11’’ – 174 lbs – 4.53

Commish’s Take: Young would bring a flash and an excitement to the Falcons offense.

28 (60). New England Patriots – Randall Cobb – WR – Kentucky
5’10’ – 191 lbs – 4.46

Commish’s Take: Cobb’s ability to run good routes and ability to run after the catch would fit in nicely with the Patriots offense.

29 (61). San Diego Chargers (via NYJ) – Jordan Cameron – TE – USC
6’5’’ – 254 lbs – 4.59

Commish’s Take: Antonio Gates has been banged up the past couple years, so it wouldn’t hurt to get a tight end who compares to him.

30 (62). Chicago Bears – Greg Little – WR – North Carolina
6’3’’ – 231 lbs – 4.53

Commish’s Take: The Bears need a No. 1 receiver. Little has all the talent of a No. 1, but his character is a question. If he keeps his behavior in check, the Bears might get a steal here.

31 (63). Pittsburgh Steelers – Curtis Brown – CB – Texas
6’0’’ – 184 lbs – 4.54

Commish’s Take: Brown’s stock is on the rise. He is not very physical, but is good in man coverage.

32 (64). Green Bay Packers – Dontay Moch – LB – Nevada
6’1’’ – 248 lbs – 4.44

Commish’s Take: The Packers need another outside linebacker to rush the passer. Moch’s size and speed combination is very intriguing.

With a fresh contract through the 2015 season, Bucs rockstar general manager Mark Dominik was in a chatty mood today on The Ron and Ian Show, on WDAE-AM 620,  broadcasting from the Chris Thomas Memorial Golf Tournament in Clearwater.

Dominik explained that Bucs coaches and scouts are all flying in to Tampa tonight, to get together for “10 to 12 days” to finalize every angle as it relates to the NFL Draft.

Also, Dominik said the Bucs can talk to their 2011 draft picks only until the draft ends, assuming the NFL lockout remains in force at that time. “Once the last selection is made, you can’t speak to any rookies anymore.” But, as has been widely reported, Dominik said draftees can be flown to Tampa for a traditional meet-the-player press conference before the player will have to leave the Bucs’ facility.  

And for those holding out hope the Bucs might throw fists of cash at Nnamdi Asomugha or another big-name free agent, Dominik dumped a bucket of cold Gatorade on that notion.

“I think we’re going to stay with the plan we started two years ago, and that’s trying to build this thing really through the draft. If there’s a piece of the puzzle that makes a lot of sense from outside the organization, we’ll certainly give it a shot and see if it works out for us. But the bottom line is when you go back and you look at certainly the Green Bay Packers and what they just accomplished and how they did it, they did it all internally and they barely touched free agency. And we want to be that type of a drafting team that takes advantage of that second draft also, and go find the Ted Larsens that can fill in the holes for us and use free agency that way.”

Joe wonders whether Dominik’s contract extension makes him more or less likely to partake in free agency. Perhaps it has no bearing at all.

Big news for Bucs fans; sad news for the haters.

Team Glazer has rewarded Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik with a four-year contract extension, the Bucs just announced moments ago.

“It’s been a pleasure working with and getting to know Mark, so it’s gratifying to witness his success,” Bucs Co-Chairman Joel Glazer said in a statement released by the club. “Mark is dedicated to delivering the winner our fans deserve.”

“I’m appreciative of the confidence the Glazer family has in the direction of the franchise,” Dominik said in the same release. “I’m looking forward to working into my 20th year as a proud part of this community and organization. The mission is to continue building this team into a lasting contender and to bring championships back to the Tampa Bay area.”

And just how is Dominik celebrating his new contract? He’s playing golf with Joe’s good friend “The Big Dog,” Steve Duemig of WDAE-AM 620 in the Chris Thomas golf tournament, raising money for the Suncoast Hospice Foundation.

Joe stands up and offers a golf clap. No general manager in the NFL has had a more profound positive impact on his team the past two years than Dominik. He has proved to be an uncanny draft guru who apparently puts in loads of hours into research, going so far as to interview Little League coaches of potential draftees and query agents about other players.

In recent weeks of dark news concerning the labor tug-of-war and Aqib Talib’s legal hassles, this is more than refreshing news.

Now Joe knows Bucs fans slam their half-full bottles of beer on the table in absolute disgust over the play of the Bucs linebackers.

The posterchild for many Bucs fans’ angst is of course Barrett Ruud. In short, fans want Ruud to be what he cann’t nor will never be, no matter that he very could be the most important cog in the Bucs defense, maybe more valuable than troubled Aqib Talib.

Another linebacker Bucs fans grumble about is outside linebacker Quincy Black. Pretty much handed a starting job last year, Black, with the naked eye, doesn’t seem to make too many plays for a starting NFL linebacker.

Nathan Jahnke of ProFootballFocus.com strongly disagrees. He believes Black will be the next Bucs linebacker superstar since Derrick Brooks was jettisoned.

His contract has expired, but it would make sense for the Buccaneers to make a serious run at keeping him in town. Black was one of only three 4-3 outside linebackers with positive ratings in run stopping, pass rush, pass coverage and penalties this season; James Anderson and Keith Bulluck being the other two.

Tampa was hit hard by injuries this past season, but with everyone healthy in 2011, they’ll have a lot of important pieces in place. Stylez White and Gerald McCoy looked good as pass rushers, Geno Hayes is a solid weak side linebacker (at least on pass downs,) and Ronde Barber and Aqib Talib (baring legal problems) are a good tandem at cornerback.

The emergence of Quincy Black in 2010 was a big part of the Buccaneers defensive success, and if they are able to bring him back, he’ll be part of a defense that continues to rise. If he leaves Tampa Bay, he’ll boost a 4-3 defense elsewhere.

Joe wonders if this Jahnke character works for Black’s agent. Now Joe knows this is just one play, but last year against the Rams running back Steven Jackson was running up the middle. There was a massive hole opened by the Rams offensive line.

But just beyond the hole was Black. The Bucs linebacker stood in his tracks, waiting for Jackson to come to him rather than firing and plugging the hole. Jackson, perhaps the most underrated running back in the NFL, ran a complete half-circle to Black’s left, absolutely running around Black who never laid a finger on Jackson.

It was both a beautiful play by Jackson and a bad play by Black. NFL running backs are not going to come to you. Plug the hole!

If Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik — who knew a lockout was brewing — didn’t feel the urge to sign Black (yet), maybe that’s a sign that Black isn’t quite as talented as Jahnke would lead people to believe.

"Man, while you're playing golf with Duemig Monday, I'm sweating bullets over a defensive end."

Last year the Bucs pass rush was horrid. There’s no denying the simple facts.

As eye-RAH! Kaufman points out, only the brutal Broncos generated less sacks than the Bucs.

But that will change in 2011, Raheem Morris says you can bank on it. In speaking with the Tampa Tribune, Morris is adamant the Bucs will soil more quarterback’s jerseys than last year.

“We don’t point fingers, we don’t point blame, we find ways to get better,’’ Morris said. “To invest in the two D-line coaches that we were able to acquire will be a big help in making the players we have on our roster better. We’re also looking to acquire talent in the draft and free agency and we’re very confident we’ll be able to get better up front.’‘

Former Vikings Pro Bowl defensive tackle Keith Millard, the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1989, will share coaching duties with former Arizona State defensive line coach Grady Stretz. Tampa Bay used its first two 2010 draft choices on defensive tackles and Morris is optimistic both Gerald McCoy and Brian Price will be major contributors after injury-marred rookie seasons.

“Usually with defensive linemen, it’s Year 2 or Year 3 that they really develop,’’ Morris said. “You stay with your fundamental core beliefs and you’ll get better. McCoy had a two-sack game and got hurt. I was really looking forward to him exploding onto the scene and finishing that process strong. When I watch the tape, I see a lot of splash plays by Michael Bennett. I see McCoy getting better and I see Price being dynamic when he played. It’s very exciting when you think about getting those guys back and bringing in two D-line coaches to get the most out of them.’‘

Of course, things should markedly improve. Brian Price should be healthy. GMC should be healthy. The Bucs actually have quality new defensive line coaches in place, one given the stamp of approval by no less than Warren Sapp himself.

Of course, the haters have zero patience for guys like GMC, especially since he began to put up numbers and disrupt when he quick listening to Todd Wash. Joe wonders if these same haters wanted to scalp Sapp after his rookie season?

Good guy Stephen Holder discusses how the lockout and the freezing of player transactions by teams will influence Bucs rock star Mark Dominik in this St. Petersburg Times video.

This is a perfect example of how NFL news, sans draft talk and the boring beyond words lockout chatter (please, someone, anyone, feel free to explain what has changed after the countless number of hours spent on talk radio and the countless hours spoken on NFL Network and the countless hundreds of thousands words typed about the lockout since talks broke down in March? Not one friggin’ thing. Both sides are no closer to an agreement than they were when the NFLPA decertified), NFL news has ground to an absolute halt with the exception of player scrapes with the law.

So eye-RAH! Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune put fingers to keyboard and decided to select the top “dozen emerging stars” of the NFL. Not surprisingly, Kaufman includes josh Freeman and has him atop the list.

Josh Freeman, QB, Buccaneers
For perhaps the first time in franchise history, Tampa Bay boasts the most valuable commodity in pro football. Freeman, 23, rarely lost his composure while throwing 25 TD passes and only six interceptions in his first full year as a starter. He could be an NFC Pro Bowl fixture as early as next season and opposing coaches rave about Freeman’s leadership skills.

Not surprising at all but Joe was a bit shocked to see Rams quarterback Sam Bradford off the list. Joe believes this guy is going to be a superstar. He put up amazing numbers as a rookie, damn near got that garbage team into the playoffs and the guy has nothing but a bunch of stiffs to throw to, glorified arena ball players.

Joe wonders if Mike Williams could have also been included on the eye-RAH! list. He wasn’t, but Jamaal Charles was.

Joe wrote last week about how “career backup” Josh Johnson hardly said he wanted to a be Buccaneer for life during an interview with the Oakland Tribune.

Johnson was and is tight with his former college coach Jim Harbaugh, the new head coach of the quarterback-starved 49ers.

Now Rick Stroud, Bucs beat writer for the St. Pete Times, has tracked down Johnson. And he found the young quarterback longing for a starting job and saying he’s “all for” making a move to the 49ers.

“I hear it all the time,” Johnson said. “But a lot more goes into this than what you think. I understand that. It’s why I try to stay in the middle. If I can’t control the situation, I don’t make any predictions on it.

“If something happens, I’m all for it. But at the same time, I enjoy playing for Raheem (Morris) and the Bucs. It’s hard for any competitor to not be able to get out there, especially for me because I’ve gotten a taste of being a starter.”

Joe can attest that Johnson is a sharp guy — and one who surely knows his best chance to reunite with Harbaugh and get a clean shot at the San Francisco starting job is this offseason.

Joe suspects Johnson knows exactly what he’s doing when he tells the local newspapers in two cities that he’d be just fine with a trade.

Is Johnson trying to guide the hand of Mark Dominik? Maybe Johnson didn’t like Greg Olson’s odd remark about him last year? 

With the annoying NFL lockout in place, the Bucs can’t trade Johnson if they wanted to — no deals until the lockout is lifted. But Joe wouldn’t hesitate to move Johnson when/if the opportunity arises.

Might as well get something for him, and the 49ers just might overpay.

Apparently not a believer in Mark Dominik’s aversion to big-name free agents and his desire for high-character players, Disney blogger Pat Yasinskas made two references Friday to the Bucs considering condom hater free agent cornerback Antonio Cromartie.

Yasinskas fired off these comments during a live chat on some website called ESPN.com.

(Normally Joe would re-print the comments here, but Joe can’t bear to do it as the idea of Cromartie on the Bucs is ludicrous.)

Maybe Joe’s too conservative, but Cromartie, who has struggled to pay child support for his nine children despite a lucrative contract, is not someone Joe wants to cheer for anytime soon.

Plus, he definitely would qualify as a big-name free agent, and every savvy Bucs fan and observer knows Dominik won’t go there unless the salary cap floor forces his hand.

Now just 20 days separate the Bucs from their newest first-round pick. With that in mind, NFL.com reporter Albert Breer dialed up rockstar general manager Mark Dominik to talk about the greatness of his 2010 rookies.

Apparently, Breer found Dominik oozing with confidence.

“I remember Tony Dungy’s team, back in 1997, when we got off to a 5-0 start and Sports Illustrated said, ‘Break Up The Bucs,’” said 39-year-old general manager Mark Dominik, who was in his third year as a Tampa personnel assistant back then. “More than that, at that time, there was a lot of internal belief in what we were doing. I think that’s the spot we’re at again. That’s the most encouraging thing to me.”

As Dominik has talked about previously, the Bucs’ core draft beliefs center heavily around players who were team captains and love everything and anything about football.

And, of course, Dominik has proven he can hunt in the difficult seventh round and among dicey undrafted players like a dominant pelican diving for fish.

But Joe’s of the mind that the 2010 class has a ways to go before reaching superstud status. Four of the Bucs first five picks outside of Mike Williams have an awful lot to prove.

Joe would be more than satisfied if just one of the defensive tackles, Gerald McCoy or Brian Price, turns out to be above average against the run and a force versus the pass.

Make plans now to feast at the Derby Club buffet tonight (Joe will be there), and win $500 just for being at Derby Lane in St. Petersburg.

Derby Lane’s got a championship card of greyhound racing on tap and their stellar poker room is open well into the wee hours.

Renowned draft guru Justin Pawlowski, aka The Commish, continues to hammer out his intense draft analysis here and on the draft page at 620wdae.com. Might the Bucs be looking for a quarterback in the late rounds? Doubtful. But if they plan to move Josh Johnson? …

Quarterbacks:

By JUSTIN PAWLOWSKI

1. Cam Newton – Auburn
6’5’’ – 248 lbs – 4.59
Top 5

Why The Commish would take him: Well, it’s pretty easy to take a player who might be the best athlete to ever play the quarterback position. He’s Tim Tebow with a lot more talent. Newton’s strong arm allows him to make throws all over the field. Obviously, he’s bigger and faster than most quarterbacks to ever be in the NFL.  Finally, I find it extremely impressive how Newton dealt with as much adversity that was around him and still lead Auburn to a National Championship.

Why The Commish would stay away: There are plenty of issues swirling around Newton, but what he does on the field matters to me most.  My biggest question is how Newton will fair in a pro-style offense and having to read NFL defenses. As for his off-the-field antics, I would look at how he handled all that adversity in college and rely on the background work my department does. I think Newton’s character concerns are not as heavy as most people think.

Commish’s Final Say: Comparisons to Vince Young or JaMarcus Russell were unfair and just flat out wrong early in the draft process.  Newton has never once had his work ethic questioned. As for Vince Young, Newton has already handled 10 times more adversity than what Young couldn’t handle.  Newton is a great talent that will need to put his work ethic to use mainly in the classroom and film room in the NFL.

Comparison:   Ben Roethlisberger – Pittsburgh Steelers

2. Blaine Gabbert – Missouri
6’4’’ – 234 lbs – 4.62
Top 15

Why The Commish would take him:  What I like most about Gabbert is his quick decision making. In Missouri’s spread offense, the quarterback has to make quick decisions on every pass play and get the ball out of his hands. Gabbert is also very accurate on the short quick passes. I also think Gabbert’s athleticism is underrated due to so many athletic quarterbacks already in this class. I think Gabbert ranks right up there with the rest when it comes to athleticism.

Why The Commish would stay away:  Two glaring weaknesses have me most concerned.  First, Gabbert’s accuracy on throws more than five yards down the field was awful.  Sure, many throws at Missouri were short and quick throws, but you got to have accuracy down the field to be considered an elite quarterback in my eyes. I also am very concerned about Gabbert’s ability to handle the rush.  It seemed as though Gabbert would lose his cool whenever the pressure would get to him. Being a high draft pick means your’re probably going to a bad team with what could be a poor offensive line.

Commish’s Final Say:  I’m not as high on Gabbert as others are. I also didn’t fall for his performance at his pro day.  Scouts and analysts were gushing about Gabbert after his pro day, but that enthusiasm has faded as scouts go back and watch film on Gabbert. His lack of down-field accuracy is most concerning and could drop him from the top 5 on draft day.

Comparison:   Kyle Orton – Denver Broncos

3. Christian Ponder – FSU
6’2’’ – 229 lbs – 4.65
1st/2nd Round

Why The Commish would take him: Ponder’s intangibles are off the chart. He’s a fantastic leader, great in the huddle, and has a great work ethic. Ponder is also a very accurate quarterback who might be best suited for a west-coast offense. Ponder is also comfortable under center in a pro-style offense. That means Ponder is experienced reading defenses and making reads in the pass game.

Why The Commish would stay away:  Health and arm strength are the major concerns surrounding Ponder. The last 2 seasons have been cut short for Ponder with a shoulder injury to his throwing arm in his junior season and an elbow injury to his throwing arm as a senior which required two in-season surgeries. 

Commish’s Final Say: Technology is a funny thing as I remember Drew Brees going down with a catastrophic shoulder injury before signing with the Saints and becoming one of the great passers in the game today. Ponder reminds me of Brees coming out of Purdue.  Ponder might not be the flashiest quarterback, but he might have the best intangibles, which NFL teams cherish in a quarterback.  I’m definitely not saying that Ponder will be just like Brees, but they do have similar qualities.

Comparison:   Drew Brees – New Orleans Saints

4. Ryan Mallett – Arkansas
6’7’’ – 253 lbs – 5.50
1st/2nd Round

Why The Commish would take him: Mallett is the best pure passer in this draft. He is also the most NFL-ready quarterback in this draft.  Mallett should be able to step into any offense and not have any issues throwing the football. Strictly by play on the field, Mallett is the best “quarterback” in this draft.

Why The Commish would stay away:  It’s no secret that Mallett has some questionable character. I’m still not sure if I believe the drug rumors that were floating about. Mallett has still proved to be a bit of an issue when it comes to his attitude. He has been compared to Eminem, which is not a good thing. Mallett also did not handle the media well at the combine.  I worry that if the going gets tough in the NFL, whether Mallett will be able to handle it.

Commish’s Final Say:  It takes just one team to fall in love with a player and draft him.  There have been many rumors surrounding Mallett, but the fact is Mallett is the quarterback that is most ready to step in and play right away in the NFL.  I think a quarterback like Mallett is worth  taking a risk on in the late 1st or early 2nd round.  I wouldn’t be shocked if Mallett went much higher or much lower than most people think.  His range is as big as any player’s in the draft.

Comparison:  Phillips Rivers – San Diego Chargers

5. Jake Locker – Washington
6’2’’ – 231 lbs – 4.59
1st/2nd Round

Why The Commish would take him: Locker has a ton of experience against top competition. I also like the fact that Locker played in a pro-style offense at Washington. Locker is an incredible athlete with a strong arm. Locker also has great intangibles. He’s a great leader, has a great work ethic, has lead his teams to wins late in games, and has played in horrible weather.

Why The Commish would stay away: Accuracy. Locker had seven or fewer completions in theree separate games last season.  He struggled with accuracy in games, at the senior bowl, and at the combine.  I’m the type that does not want my NFL quarterback without accuracy.

Commish’s Final Say:  I still think Locker could get drafted high, but I have major concerns about him ever developing his accuracy.  He does remind  me a lot of Jeff Garcia.  Garcia was a fiery quarterback who had control of the huddle and was a great athlete.  I laugh, though, when people call Garcia accurate.  If you saw how many open receivers he missed as quarterback for the Bucs and how off target his throws were, you’d be sick.  With that said, Garcia had a successful career, and Locker could have the same.

Comparison:  Jeff Garcia – San Francisco 49ers

6. Colin Kaepernick – Nevada
6’5’’ – 233 lbs – 4.53
1st/2nd Round

Why The Commish would take him:  There is a lot to like about Kaepernick. First, he’s a humble kid without any glaring or major concerns. That is really good for this QB class. Kaepernick is an unbelievable athlete with an incredibly strong arm. He was a four-year starter at Nevada, so he has a ton of good experience, including some in big games.  Kaepernick is a great leader and has fantastic work ethic.

Why The Commish would stay away:  Kaepernick did not play in a pro-style offense, so there are questions about him taking snaps from under center, reading a defense, and being able to go through a progression.

Commish’s Final Say:  I am concerned that Kaepernick is more of an athlete with a strong arm than a quarterback. He does possess some unique physical skills that are very intriguing.  With proper coaching and development, I think Kaepernick could be special.

Comparison:   Randall Cunningham – Philadelphia Eagles

7. Andy Daulton – TCU
6’2’’ – 215 lbs – 4.87
1st/2nd Round

Why The Commish would take him:  Intangibles are strong with Daulton. He won MVP in three separate Bowl games. Daulton is an outstanding leader with great work ethic. He is also very tough and durable. Daulton is also a very confident player with great mobility inside the pocket.

Why The Commish would stay away:  There’s nothing real flashy about Daulton.  In a QB class with so many questions, I’m thinking a majority of these prospects, including Daulton, will be over-drafted. Daulton doesn’t have elite arm strength and could be limited to a west-coast offense.

Commish’s Final Say: I think Daulton is a solid quarterback with great leadership skills. It’s tough to say whether he’ll become an elite   quarterback, but he has potential to become a very solid starter and leader on a football team.

Comparison:  Matt Hasselbeck – Seattle Seahawks

8. Ricky Stanzi – Iowa
6’4’’ – 223 lbs – 4.93
2nd/3rd Round

Why The Commish would take him: The first thing that should stand out is Stanzi’s success in the Big Ten while running a pro-style offense. He has good size, very good technique, and a great work ethic. Stanzi was also a  captain and leader for Iowa. 

Why The Commish would stay away:  Accuracy downfield is my first concern.  I also worry about how Stanzi will handle an NFL pass rush.  He seemed to get rattled at times. Stanzi also did not show up well in clutch situations.

Commish’s Final Say:  I think Stanzi might be one of the underrated quarterback prospects in this draft.  If Andy Daulton is getting as much run as he is, I’m surprised that Stanzi isn’t getting much at all.  It wouldn’t shock me at all if Stanzi went much higher than most people think.

Comparison:  Tony Romo – Dallas Cowboys

9. Greg McElroy – Alabama
6’2’’ – 220 lbs – 4.91
4th Round

Why The Commish would take him: McElroy is smart and a game manager.  He is very calm in the pocket and makes good decisions.   McElroy has only lost 3 games as a starting quarterback since the 8th grade. McElroy is a great leader, great in the community,

Why The Commish would stay away:  I think McElroy is destined to be the next Josh Johnson.  Yep, a career backup. McElroy does not have a strong arm and does not have the traits of a starting-caliber quarterback in the NFL.

Commish’s Final Say: If I’m a team in need of a backup quarterback, I would definitely target McElroy in the middle of the draft.  He could end up challenging for a starting job down the line, but will immediately bring a solid leader and stability to a team’s quarterback position.

Comparison:  Mike Kafka – Philadelphia Eagles

10. Tyrod Taylor – Va. Tech
6’1’’ – 217 lbs – 4.51
4th Round

Why The Commish would take him: Tyrod’s speed and athleticism is the most intriguing part about him. He is a great athlete with a very strong arm.

Why The Commish would stay away:  I have questions whether Taylor can be a true quarterback in the NFL.  I worry about his accuracy and reading defenses.

Commish’s Final Say:  Taylor is a hell of an athlete, but I’m not so sure I’d want him as a quarterback. He seems certain he’s staying as a quarterback. I view him as a Josh Johnson-type backup quarterback that can run the “Wildcat” offense.

Comparison: Seneca Wallace – Cleveland Browns

With their British kickball team cruising toward another league title and a possible European championship on a sliced player budget, and the Bucs a 10-win team that needs an elevator to reach the middle of the pack of NFL spenders, Team Glazer hasn’t heard much from their detractors lately, so notes Tampa Tribune scribe eye-RAH! Kaufman.

Perhaps you’ve heard of these haters, those who march the streets screaming that the owners are stashing fistfulls of cash in secret vaults while refusing to invest it in their teams.

Kaufman Twittered his musing yesterday.

Ira: Between the surprising 10-6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers and first-place Manchester United, the Glazer family has silenced many of its critics

Joe’s noticed that Team Glazer also has been much more visible in the past year — more quotes, more statements. And their comments seem to reveal a more personable tone. Even just the other day, noted Euro soccer site TribalFootball.com reported Joel, Bryan and Avi Glazer watched the soccer team live together in England on Wednesday, hardly a common occurrance.

Hmm, Joe can’t recall hearing a quality anti-Glazer rant on the radio this year.

Maybe Team Glazer has silenced its critics? Funny how winning can do that.

The man who works for the Disney syndicate and boasts of his residence in the Tampa area, otherwise known as ESPN NFC South blogger Pat Yasinskas, appeared on the “Primetime Show” heard on WHBO-AM 1040 Thursday afternoon to speak about the Aqib Talib saga and the Bucs.

In the opinion of Yasinskas, he told co-hosts Ronnie ‘Night Train’ Lane, Mark Carrier and Tom Krasniqi that Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik will rid himself and the team of the recurring headaches from the troubled cornerback in light of recent events where Texas police allege Talib pistol whipped another man and then shot at a fleeing subject, so good guy Krasniqi Twittered Thursday.

Yasinkas: Bucs are dumping Talib once the CBA gets resolved

Joe reached out to Krasniqi Thursday night so he could elaborate on what Yasinskas said. Krasniqi made it quite clear to Joe that Yasinskas was purely speculating based on his knowledge of the Bucs and Dominik; that Yasinskas was not told by a source that this will take place. Yasinsas was simply stating an opinion.

“He said the Bucs would try to trade [Talib] or cut him,” Krasniqi said. “I’ve been saying for the last 10 years the Houston Texans have the worst secondary in the NFL. Seeing Talib go there where he would be back in his home state would be a logical move.”

All of this makes perfect sense to Joe. Look, Talib is a gifted cornerback but he has become more than just a problem child. Talib simply cannot stay out of trouble and his more than annual incidents continue to grow more violent with each episode. No matter if he is found by a Texas court to be innocent of his recent charges, Talib is certainly looking at a multiple-game suspension by NFL warden commissioner Roger Goodell, thus has proven himself, like safety Tanard Jackson, to be undependable.

Players who cannot stay healthy are cut all the time in the NFL because they cannot answer the bell. In other words, teams cannot depend on them. Players don’t just decide to go get injured. Injuries are largely unpreventable. With Talib and Jackson, each of their incidents was and is absolutely preventable. Both made multiple decisions that not only put their NFL careers in jeopardy, but cost themselves millions of dollars and put their personal liberties at risk as well.

If Dominik finds a suitor to trade for Talib, don’t expect a whole lot in return. Consider last year the Steelers could only procure a late-fifth round pick for a player of at least equal value of Talib, wide receiver Santonio Holmes.

Teams generally don’t fall over themselves to cough up valuable draft picks for players with a violent rap sheet who are facing a multiple-game suspension if not prison.